NBA 2016-17: Patty Mills on track to join historic ‘50-40-90 club’

PATTY Mills is in the midst of a career year, and he’s already on track to achieve a statistical milestone that’s only been done by seven players in NBA history.

The ‘50-40-90 club’ refers to players who shooting at or above 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the three-point line, and 90 percent from the free throw line.

While we’re just 19 games into the season, Mills already looks as though he’s on his way to achieve the feat in his sixth season with the San Antonio Spurs, shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from the three-point line, and 96.8 percent from the free throw line.

Mills is posting a career-high 11.6 points per game, in an average of 23.5 minutes a game.

If he were to carry his impressive form to the end of the regular season, Mills would join Stephen Curry — who joined the ‘club’ last season — Larry Bird, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant as the only players in league history to post those averages.

Bird achieved the stat-line twice, while Nash managed to do it four times.

The prestigious ‘club’ is a testament to one’s efficiency from the perimeter, recognising some of the best shooters in NBA history. But, while the feat is most definitely in sight for Mills, there’s a strict criteria that may hurt his chances.

media_cameraSan Antonio Spurs guard, Patty Mills, is on track for a historic season.

In order for a player to qualify, he must make at least 300 field goals, 82 three-pointers, and 125 free throws. This means the ‘club’ is only reserved for those who are both efficient and productive with their respective perimeter shooting.

The Australian guard is 19 games into an 82-game regular season, and has made 76 field goals, 38 three-pointers, and 30 free throws.

Mills is expected to hit the required amount of field goals and three-point field goals, but it’s the free throws that may be his demise, with the speedy guard’s game centred more around his shooting from the perimeter, as opposed to attacking the basket.

What may work in Mills’ favour is the fact that the Spurs are in the midst of another successful season; the team is 15-4, good for second in the Western Conference. This means it’s likely Gregg Popovich continues resting the likes of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, opening up opportunities for the 28-year-old Canberra-native to get significant minutes.

There’s still a long way to go, but Mills could well be on his way to the greatest statistical season in the history of the Australians who have played in the NBA, and he could make league history as the first bench player to join the illustrious ‘50-40-90 club’.